
NMC issues interim guidelines for MBBS admissions of students with disabilities
While the Unique Disability Identity Cards (UDID) have been established as a mandatory for persons with benchmark disabilities (PwBD), they must also report to designated medical board – just 16 and not in all states – for verification of their self-certified affidavit. The guidelines came as the NEET-UG counselling will begin on Monday.
Two days ago, this newspaper broke the story that thousands of medical students with disabilities are in dilemma as they await revised admission guidelines, as mandated by the top court in its various orders.
As per the interim guidelines, an aspirant with a locomotor disability and stability issues will have to give a self-attested affidavit about their functional abilities, whether they can bear their weight and stand on their affected leg; walk on plain surfaces; sit in a chair on their own; climb stairs and turn right and left sides on their own, etc.
'As per the Interim Guidelines, PwBD must submit a valid UDID issued by a designated medical authority under Ministry of Social Justice; self-certified affidavits; and the candidate will have to report to
the designated medical board (16) for verification of their self-certified affidavit,' Dr Raghav Langer, Secretary, NMC, said in a public notice, adding these boards will verify a candidate's self-certified affidavits and evaluate their functional abilities.
The interim guidelines said the NMC has undertaken proactive measures to ease challenges faced by PwBD candidates, ensuring a fair and inclusive medical education environment. This includes facilitating accommodations, revisiting eligibility norms, and adopting evaluation criteria focused on individual capabilities.
The guideline also said institutions must ensure no student with a disability is denied admission on the grounds of disability; provided barrier-free access to buildings, classrooms, libraries, laboratories, hostels, and other facilities as per standards notified by the Centre.
For counselling
Unique Disability Identity Card made mandatory
Self-certified affidavits evaluating functional abilities mandatory
Report to 16 designated medical boards for affidavit verification
Directions to institutions
Ensure no student with disability is denied admission
Provide barrier-free access to classrooms, libraries, labs, hostels, etc.
Appoint nodal officer/establish disability cell to address student concerns
Set up grievance redressal mechanism
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Hans India
36 minutes ago
- Hans India
Early detection of emotional distress key to avert suicides among students
Visakhapatnam: Even if victims drop apparent indications much before taking the extreme step, are parents or teachers or peers or friends able to decipher the hints? In a highly-competitive academic framework coupled with an insatiable drive to be on the top of the score chart all through the academic life, students are often subject to relentless pressure both at home and in the school campus. But, as a community, are there any concrete measures in place to help one another, spot early indications of suicidal feelings, flag warning signs and come to the rescueof the child before it is too late? Emotional wellbeing therapists underline that suicides are very much preventive provided the risk factors are recognised early and an action plan is in place to extend support to vulnerable students. They emphasise that such students not only have to be monitored from close quarters but also be given confidence through counselling at frequent intervals. The National Crime Records Bureau-2022 indicates a distressing data of about 1.71 lakh suicides recorded in India. Of them, 13,044 were students and over 2,000 of them were due to failure in examinations. Following the tragic and unnatural death of a 17-year-old girl, who was undergoing coaching for the NEET examination in a private institute in Visakhapatnam two years back, and keeping the alarming statistics in view, the Supreme Court issued comprehensive interim guidelines to safeguard mental health of students across all educational institutions. Underlining that suicide prevention is a binding obligation to safeguard the right to life, health and human dignity, the bench instructed the educational institutions to engage at least one qualified counsellor, psychologist or social worker based on the strength of the school with demonstrable training in child and adolescent mental health. 'Prioritising mental health for students is a welcome move. However, it would take a while for the educational institutions to appoint counsellors and adopt structured planning. Along with institutional support, massive awareness drives to detect signs of psychological distress among children play a pivotal role. Change starts from home. Parents attending parent-teacher-meeting should be made mandatory so that they would be made aware of the wards' emotional health along with academic performance,' suggests Dr. Pujitha Josyula, a psychologist and founder of 99 Mindfit. Dr. Pujitha Josyula recommends setting short and long term strategies focusing on massive sensitisation drives among parents and hostel wardens, holding regular interactive sessions with students, being empathetic, identifying vulnerable students, monitoring them at regular intervals and connecting parents with counsellors as she says that they serve as an effective suicide prevention mechanism. However, in most cases, the child is often conditioned by fear, high academic expectations and constant comparison-driven pressure. Unless such trend changes, clinical psychologists hint that bottled up emotions invariably make people feel singled out. 'There is a need to build a friendly atmosphere at home so that children would look forward to sharing their secrets and fears with any parent or a trusted adult. However, not many are open to communicating with their parents for the fear of being 'judged'. Coordinated efforts in keeping tabs of the warning signs rests on parents, teachers and peers,' asserts Dr. Harilakshmi Venkataramana, a clinical psychologist. Empathising and narrating real time stories with children and making them feel wanted are some of the strategies Dr. Harilakshmi Venkataramana suggests parents adopt for improving emotional wellness of their wards.


NDTV
16 hours ago
- NDTV
How Much Does It Cost To Study MBBS In Russia, Philippines, Kazakhstan
Many Indian students face high fees at private medical colleges at home. That's why more are looking abroad for Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) course that combine quality and affordability. According to the Global Medical Foundation website, the annual MBBS fees in Russia, Kazakhstan, or the Philippines range from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 10 lakh. Why Are Indian Students Choosing to Study Abroad? Many government medical colleges in India are affordable but have limited seats. Private colleges charge very high fees. Studying overseas offers more seats, lower costs and the chance to learn in English. How Much Does MBBS Cost in Russia? In Russia, most MBBS programs run for six years and are taught in English. Annual tuition fees range from around Rs 2 lakh to Rs 8 lakh. Students also benefit from low hostel charges and government backing. Note that if India's National Medical Commission does not fully recognise certain clinical training, the program may extend by an additional year. What Is the MBBS Fee in Kazakhstan? Kazakhstan's medical universities charge between Rs 3 lakh and Rs 5 lakh each year for MBBS. Over the six-year course, total tuition adds up to roughly Rs 18 lakh to Rs 30 lakh. Beyond tuition, students must budget for accommodation, food, medical insurance, visa renewals, admission fees and travel. Knowing all mandatory costs helps families plan their finances more accurately. How Affordable Is MBBS in the Philippines? The Philippines stands out for its especially low fees. Both government and private colleges there offer MBBS tuition starting at about Rs 2.10 lakh per year. As with any overseas study decision, prospective students should confirm that their chosen institution is recognised by India's National Medical Commission and factor in living expenses before finalising their plans. When applying for MBBS, consider the total cost-including tuition, living expenses, and explore financial aid options like scholarships and loans.


Time of India
17 hours ago
- Time of India
Far-off NEET-PG centres spark distress among aspirants; IMA-JDN urges ministry to act
New Delhi: The Indian Medical Association-Junior Doctors' Network (IMA-JDN) has submitted an urgent representation to Union Health Minister J P Nadda , raising serious concern over the allotment of NEET-PG centres. The move came after aspirants across the country reported being allotted exam centres in far-off states for the medical entrance test , triggering widespread distress and anxiety. With the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test-Postgraduate (NEET-PG) scheduled on August 3, the IMA-JDN has urged the Union Health Ministry to direct the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) to reopen the exam centre change portal so that the affected candidates can avail the option of choosing centres within their home state or nearby locations. In the representation, the IMA-JDN emphasised that while some students have received centres in nearby cities, thousands of candidates have been assigned exam centres in distant states, for which they have to undertake long, expensive, and stressful journeys to unfamiliar destinations. The doctors' body said in a statement, "This move is causing much concern, especially among the economically weaker sections, ladies, and those from remote or rural regions." "This disparity not only affects fairness but could negatively impact students' mental well-being and performance in this critical, once-a-year exam," it said. "IMA-JDN remains committed to ensuring equity and accessibility in all aspects of medical education and examination systems," the doctors' body added. PTI